Unit 11 • Session 4 David’s Kindness · 2019. 6. 7. · As you teach preschoolers the story of David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth, go beyond the lesson that we can be kind

head1 (Use character style “head1a” after first word)

outline_nested

outline_centered

Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit MinistryGrid.com/gospelproject.

REVIEW THE STORY

(10+ MINUTES)PAGE 14

David’s Kindness

TEACH THE STORY(15–20 MINUTES)

PAGE 72

EXPERIENCE THE STORY(25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 74

REVIEW THE STORY(10+ MINUTES)

PAGE 76

Unit 11 • Session 4

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Samuel 9

STORY POINT: David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:13a

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus

perfectly rules over everything.

Unit 11 • Session 4

68 Preschool Worship GuideUnit 11 • Session 4

005806039_v4_PreschoolWorshipGuide.indb 68 11/26/18 9:48 AM

July 14, 2019

For 3's/Pre-K

Use Week of:

4

LEADER Bible StudyThough King Saul was an adversary to David, Saul’s son Jonathan loved him like a brother. (See 1 Sam. 18:1) Before David fled from King Saul and journeyed toward Moab, Jonathan appealed to his friend David, “If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household” (1 Sam. 20:14-15a).

Following the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan, David was made king over Israel. The Lord was with David, and he experienced numerous military victories. David remembered the promise he made to his best friend Jonathan and was determined to keep it.

David asked a servant of Saul’s family if anyone remained from Saul’s family. The servant mentioned Jonathan’s son. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh sheth) had been injured when he was five years old, so his feet were crippled. (2 Sam. 4:4) David brought Mephibosheth to his house. Mephibosheth fell facedown before David. As a descendant of Saul, he was right to fear the king. But David said, “Don’t be afraid.”

David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, promising to restore to him all of Saul’s fields. He appointed servants to work the fields. The fields would provide an income for Mephibosheth. David also announced that Mephibosheth would eat meals at David’s table, just like one of the king’s sons. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table.

As you teach preschoolers the story of David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth, go beyond the lesson that we can be kind like David. Highlight King David’s surprising and gracious kindness to Mephibosheth. Then point them to Jesus. In a greater way than David, God shows surprising kindness to us. (Eph. 2:7) Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

69Great King David


head1 (Bible Story is char.style “head1a”

head 2head 3

body_indent

David’s Kindness2 Samuel 9

David was a good king for God’s people. He won battles against his enemies and God helped him do what was fair and right for the Israelites. One day, David thought about King Saul and his family.

David and Saul’s son Jonathan had been best friends. He had promised to be kind to Jonathan’s

family. David wondered if anyone from that family was still alive.

David said to one of Saul’s servants, “I want to show

kindness to someone from Saul’s family. Is anyone still alive?”

“Yes,” said the servant. “Jonathan’s son—the one who cannot walk—is still alive.”

Jonathan’s son was named Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh

sheth). David called for him to come to Jerusalem. When

Mephibosheth got there, he bowed down before David.“Mephibosheth!” David said.

“Don’t be afraid. I made a promise to your father, Jonathan, and I want to show

kindness to you.”David told Mephibosheth what he would do for him. “I will give

you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul. And I want you to eat all your meals at my table.”

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Gather around the table: Set a table for a fancy dinner with a nice tablecloth, flowers, cloth napkins, flameless candles, and so forth. Tell the Bible story as children are gathered around the table.

• Emphasize kindness: Invite preschoolers to give a thumbs-up each time the word kind or kindness is said in the Bible story.

The BIBLE Story



David’s Kindness2 Samuel 9

David was a good king for God’s people. He won battles against his enemies and God helped him do what was fair and right for the Israelites. One day, David thought about King Saul and his family.

David and Saul’s son Jonathan had been best friends. He had promised to be kind to Jonathan’s

family. David wondered if anyone from that family was still alive.

David said to one of Saul’s servants, “I want to show

kindness to someone from Saul’s family. Is anyone still alive?”

“Yes,” said the servant. “Jonathan’s son—the one who cannot walk—is still alive.”

Jonathan’s son was named Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh

sheth). David called for him to come to Jerusalem. When

Mephibosheth got there, he bowed down before David.“Mephibosheth!” David said.

“Don’t be afraid. I made a promise to your father, Jonathan, and I want to show

kindness to you.”David told Mephibosheth what he would do for him. “I will give

you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul. And I want you to eat all your meals at my table.”

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Gather around the table: Set a table for a fancy dinner with a nice tablecloth, flowers, cloth napkins, flameless candles, and so forth. Tell the Bible story as children are gathered around the table.

• Emphasize kindness: Invite preschoolers to give a thumbs-up each time the word kind or kindness is said in the Bible story.

“Why would you show such kindness to someone like me?” Mephibosheth wondered.

David told some servants to take care of the land and farm it for Mephibosheth. From that time on, Mephibosheth lived at the palace and ate his meals at King David’s table as if he were one of King David’s own sons.

Christ Connection: King David showed surprising kindness to Mephibosheth even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

71Great King David


TEACH the Story

SESSION TITLE: David’s KindnessBIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Samuel 9STORY POINT: David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:13aBIG PICTURE QUESTION: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules

over everything.

Welcome and worship with songGreet preschoolers with a smile. As preschoolers arrive, sing an action song such as “God Alone” to engage and welcome them. Begin worship by leading preschoolers in the theme song “Crown Him With Many Crowns.”

Watch or tell the Bible storyHelp each preschooler remove one of his shoes and place it in a pile. Once everyone has taken off one shoe, direct the children to close their eyes. Remove one shoe from the pile. Invite preschoolers to open their eyes and look for their own shoe, no more than four preschoolers at a time. Once all the shoes are taken, reveal the missing shoe.SAY • Why do we wear shoes? To protect our feet.

Our Bible story today is about Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth could not walk because his feet were hurt.

Open your Bible to 2 Samuel 9. Show the video or tell the Bible story using the provided storytelling tips. Use the bolded version of the Bible story for young preschoolers.

Practice the key passage and a Bible skillPlace the key passage marker at Psalm 145:13. Invite a child to open your Bible to the key passage. Invite children to use

• “God Alone” song• “Crown Him With

Many Crowns” song

• Bible• “David’s Kindness”

video (optional)• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Story Point Poster• Giant Timeline

• Bible• Key Passage Marker• Key Passage Poster• “Everlasting

Kingdom” song



their feet to tap a beat while saying the verse together. SAY • David showed surprising kindness to Mephibosheth,

and God shows surprising kindness to us through Jesus. When we put our trust in Jesus, God invites us into His royal family. God’s royal family will last forever because His kingdom is everlasting.

Sing the key passage song “Everlasting Kingdom” together.

Learn the big picture question and answerSAY • As king, David showed kindness to Mephibosheth.

How is Jesus the perfect king? Jesus perfectly rules over everything. King Jesus showed kindness to us by dying on the cross for our sin. All who trust in Jesus are saved from sin.

Respond through song and prayerSAY • David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son

Mephibosheth. King David did not have to show such surprising kindness, but he did. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

Sing “Crown Him With Many Crowns” and “One” as preschoolers move with the music. Prepare for prayer by singing “Jesus, Thank You.” Collect an offering. SAY • God, David’s kindness to Mephibosheth reminds us

of Your great kindness to us. Thank You for showing us kindness by sending Jesus so we can be part of Your family forever. Help us to be kind to others because You are so kind to us. Amen.

Transition to experience the story

• Big Picture Question Poster

• Story Point Poster • “Crown Him With

Many Crowns” song• “One” song• “Jesus, Thank You”

song• offering basket

• countdown video (optional)

73Great King David


Move your feetPlace a long piece of tape down the center of the room. Give commands related to feet for children to follow. SAY • Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth could not use his

feet. David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. God shows surprising kindness to us. We are sinners. Our sin separates us from God, but when we put our trust in Jesus, God invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

Decide if it is kindGive preschoolers different scenarios. Encourage them to give a thumbs-up if the person in the scenario is showing kindness and a thumbs-down if they are not. Use the scenarios in the margin or create your own.SAY • Good job deciding what is kind and what is not

kind! David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever. We can show kindness to others because God shows kindness to us.

• painter’s tape

Suggested commands:

• Jump over the line.• Walk on the line.• Hop on top of the

line. • Tiptoe next to the

line.

Suggested scenarios:

• giving a friend the first turn at a game

• not sharing your snack

• giving your last cookie to a friend

• taking someone’s toy without asking

• inviting someone to play

EXPERIENCE the Story


over everything.



Trace feet Guide a child to step on a sheet of paper. Trace around his feet with a marker. Invite him to decorate his footprint with markers and stickers.SAY • Our feet help us walk. Mephibosheth could not walk.

David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son. Because of Jesus, God shows kindness to us by inviting us into His family and giving us life with Him forever.

Match footprintsPrint and cut apart the “Footprint Match” cards. Lay the cards facedown in a grid. Invite preschoolers to take turns turning over two cards at a time to find a match. If a match is found, keep the cards faceup. Play until all the matches are revealed. Mix up the cards and play again. Keep the cards faceup for younger preschoolers. SAY • When David asked who was left in Jonathan’s family

he could show kindness to, his servant told him about Johnathan’s son Mephibosheth, who could not walk. David showed surprising kindness to Jonathan’s son.

Practice setting a tableShow preschoolers how to properly set a table. Look online if you are unfamiliar with the etiquette for setting a table. SAY • Mephibosheth ate all his meals at King David’s table

as if he were one of David’s own sons. David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family as His children forever.

Transition to review the story

• paper • markers• stickers

• “Footprint Match” printable

• scissors (adult use)

• disposable utensils • disposable plates• disposable bowls• disposable cups• napkins

• countdown video (optional)

75Great King David


REVIEW the Story


over everything.

ReviewPoint to the giant timeline as you review today’s Bible story. Ask the following review questions:

1. Who was Mephibosheth? (Jonathan’s son) 2. Who showed Jonathan’s son kindness? (David

showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.)3. How did King David show Mephibosheth

kindness? (He gave Mephibosheth all the land that belonged to his grandfather, invited to eat all his meals in the palace, and treated him like a son.)

4. Who shows even greater kindness than David? (God shows even greater kindness through Jesus.)

5. How is Jesus the perfect king? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.

SAY • David had promised to be kind to his friend Jonathan’s family. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was still alive. David showed surprising kindness to Jonathan’s son even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

Sing the theme song “Crown Him With Many Crowns” or key passage song “Everlasting Kingdom.”

• Bible• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Giant Timeline • Story Point Poster• Big Picture Question

Poster• Key Passage Poster• “Crown Him With

Many Crowns” song (optional)

• “Everlasting Kingdom” song (optional)



PrayInvite preschoolers to tell you any prayer requests they have.SAY • God, thank You for reminding us that kindness is

important. You are kind to us through Jesus. You forgive us our sin and give us everything we need. You never leave us. You helped David be kind to Mephibosheth, and You can help us be kind to each other. Teach us to be kind like You are. Amen.

Missions momentSAY • We have been learning about Mozambique,

a country in Africa. We have also been hearing from the Harrells, missionaries in that country. They have lived in Mozambique for a long time and are seeing God do amazing things there. People are choosing to follow Jesus, the perfect King! New churches are starting. Some of these churches build places to meet. Watch this video to see how villagers build a church in their village.

Show the “Mudding in Mozambique” missions video.

Play “Musical Chairs”Provide one chair per child around a table. Pull the chairs out from the edge of the table, so children can walk between the edge of the table and the chairs. When the music stops, children must find the nearest chair to sit in. SAY • Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth ate meals at King

David’s table and lived in the palace like one of David’s own sons. David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son. God shows even greater kindness to us through Jesus. Because of God’s great kindness, we can show kindness to others.

• “Mudding in Mozambique” missions video

• chairs • table

77Great King David


Documents

Unit 11 • Session 4 David’s Kindness · 2019. 6. 7. · As you teach preschoolers the story of David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth, go beyond the lesson that we can be kind